Ultrasound Score to Select Subcentimeter-sized Thyroid Nodules Requiring Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Eastern China

Cheng, Pu,Chen, En-Dong,Zheng, Hua-Min,He, Qiu-Xiang,Li, Quan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a costly diagnostic item with a low yield in identifying the tiny proportion of nodules that actually represent malignant disease. Our aim through this study was to obtain an ultrasound (US) score for selecting subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules requiring FNAB in eastern China. Some 248 patients for a total of 270 thyroid nodules less than 1 cm in diameter underwent FNAB and subsequent surgery from January 2006 to March 2012 at our hospital. The clinicopathological and US data from all the nodules were analyzed retrospectively. An US score was developed on the basis of independent predictive factors for malignancy. Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, no well-defined margin, presence of calcifications and ratio between antero-posterior and transversal diameters (AP/TR) ${\geq}1$ were independent predictive factors for malignancy on logistic regression analysis. US score were statistically significant, with ${\leq}2$ favoring benignancy with an 80.3% sensitivity and a 72.7% specificity. US score is useful for differentiating between malignant and benign subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules. We suggest FNAB for nodules when the US score is higher than 2.

The Expression of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Family in Breast Cancer

Yan Qiu,Tianjie Pu,Li Li,Fei Cheng,Changli Lu,Linyong Sun,Xiao Teng,Feng Ye,Hong Bu 한국유방암학회 2014 Journal of breast cancer Vol.17 No.1

Purpose: It is widely accepted that aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) activity is a signature of breast cancer stem cells, andhigh activity has been reported to be associated with poor clinicaloutcome. The aim of this study was to assess the expressionof members of the ALDH family of isozymes in breast cancer tissuesand to evaluate the implications of the results. Methods: Weanalyzed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from 160 patients withbreast cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performedon the slides using antibodies against different ALDHfamily members. We collated the IHC results with patient clinicalcharacteristics and determined their prognostic value. In addition,we analyzed normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous tissues insitu to check their ALDH distributions. Results: All the testedALDH members were detected in the various tissue types, but atdifferent levels. Only ALDH 1A3 was found to be significantly associatedwith distant metastasis (p=0.001), disease-free survival(p<0.001), and overall survival (p<0.001). Conclusion: The levelof ALDH 1A3 in breast cancer tissue is a predictive marker of apoor clinical outcome.

Laboratory Investigations on Geotechnical Characteristics of Albumen Treated Loess Soil

Chia Zarei,Fangtong Wang,Pu Qiu,Peipei Fang,Yong Liu 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.2

An environmental improvement method using albumen, which is convenient, cost-effective, rapid and environmentally friendly, has been used for soil stabilization. In this research, the improvement influence of albumen added in various percentages to loess soil was investigated. Atterberg limits and compaction test were performed to study the influence of albumen on the soil. In addition, oedometer test and compression and extension triaxial tests were conducted to analyze geotechnical characteristics of the soil after treatment. From an engineering perspective, compression and extension strength of soils stabilized with 2% albumen at confining pressure of 200 kPa were 1.47 and 0.122 times larger than that of untreated soils, respectively. In all treated specimens, secant deformation modulus versus albumen content displayed higher values than untreated specimens, it means that deformability of treated specimens is less than untreated soil. In undrained compression test maximum pore water pressure decreased in treating specimens. Also, pore water pressure in extension triaxial test changed from negative to a positive value when treating the specimen with 2% albumen at confining pressure of 200 kPa. Treated specimens are shown more stable structure in comparison with untreated specimens. The behavior of the specimens changed to be more dilative, especially, in treating specimens with 2% albumen. Furthermore, settlement of the treated specimens decreased compared with untreated specimens. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images presented less porous and denser soil structure on the surface of treated specimens. Albumen additive can be implemented as a soil stabilizer in geotechnical projects.

Hedonic Coalition Formation for Distributed Task Allocation in Heterogeneous Multi-agent System

Lexing Wang,Tenghai Qiu,Zhiqiang Pu,Jianqiang Yi,Jinying Zhu,Wanmai Yuan 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2024 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.22 No.4

Due to the complexity of tasks in the real world, multiple agents with different capabilities tend to cooperate to handle diverse requirements of these tasks by forming coalitions. To solve the problem of finding optimal heterogeneous coalition compositions, this paper proposes a novel distributed hedonic coalition formation game method to solve the task allocation problem for multiple heterogeneous agents. Firstly, to quantify the intention of an agent joining each coalition, a utility function for each agent is designed based on the cost and the reward with regard to the given tasks, where the heterogeneous requirements of tasks are also considered. Then, a preference relation related to the utility function is designed for the self-interested agents autonomously choose to join or leave a coalition. Subsequently, a theorem is presented, and analyses have been conducted to show that the proposed method achieves a Nash-stable solution in the heterogeneous system. Further, to develop a Nash stable partition result, a distributed hedonic coalition formation algorithm containing prioritization and consensus stages is designed for each agent to make decisions. The algorithm is implemented based on local interactions with neighbor agents under a connected communication network. Finally, simulations are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method has the feasibility in solving heterogeneous composition and the broader scalability in different scenarios.

Clinical features of recurrence after hepatic resection for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma and long-term survival outcomes of patients with recurrence: A multi-institutional analysis

Lan-Qing YAO,Hai-Bo QIU,Jia-Le PU,Yong-Kang DIAO,Chao LI,Timothy M. PAWLIK,Wan Yee LAU,Dong-Sheng HUANG,Feng SHEN,Tian YANG 한국간담췌외과학회 2022 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.26 No.-

Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel Improves Cutibacterium acnes -Induced Inflammatory Responses in a Mouse Ear Edema Model and Suppresses Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine Production via the MAPK and NF-κκB Pathways in RAW264.7 Cells

Liying Gao,Mi Xie,Xiayu Zhang,Zhenhan Qiu,Zhen Pu,Shan Huang,Bin Li 대한피부과학회 2023 Annals of Dermatology Vol.35 No.6

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common adolescent skin condition which is mainly caused by Cutibacterium acnes overcolonization and subsequent inf lammation. Objective: Our previous studies demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Meconopsis quintu- plinervia Regel (EMQ) possess significant antimicrobial properties. However, their protec- tive effects and potential mechanisms against AV remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, the EMQ treatment potential for AV was evaluated in a C. acnes -induced mouse ear edema model, and the EMQ anti-inf lammatory mechanism was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Results: The results showed that EMQ alleviated edema formation and inf lammatory cell infiltration in an acne mouse model by suppressing inf lammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α expression. Moreover, EMQ inhibited the phos- phorylation of MAP kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, JNK, and ERK, the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest the potent anti-inf lammatory activity of EMQ is pos- sibly through the regulation of the MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. Inhibition of C. acnes activity combined with a powerful anti-inf lammatory effect of EMQ indicated its potential as a novel therapeutic option for AV.

The potential molecular effects of bursal septpeptide II on immune induction and antitumor activity

Guang Fang Zhou,Qing Tao Liu,Bin Zhou,Ya Feng Qiu,Xiao Dong Liu,Zhi Yong Ma,Xiu Li Feng,Rui Bing Cao,Pu Yan Chen 대한수의학회 2015 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.16 No.3

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is the acknowledged central humoral immune organ in birds. Bursal septpeptide II (BSP-II) is animmunomodulatory bioactive peptide isolated from BF. To understand the effects of BSP-II on immune induction, gene expression profilesof hybridoma cells treated with BSP-II were evaluated. Pathway analysis showed that regulated genes were involved in cytokine-cytokinereceptor interactions, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and pathway in cancer. It was observed that BSP-II reduced tumor cells proliferationand stimulated p53 expression. These results indicate potential mechanisms underlying the effects of the humoral immune system on immuneinduction, including antitumor activities. Our study has provided a novel insight into immunotherapeutic strategies for treating human tumors.

3-Methylthiopropionic Acid of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 and Its Role in the Pathogenicity of the Fungus

Frederick Kankam,Hai-Tao Long,Jing-He,Chun-hong Zhang,Hui-Xiu Zhang,Lumei Pu,Huizhen Qiu 한국식물병리학회 2016 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.32 No.2

Studies were conducted to determine the role of 3-methylthioproprionicacid (MTPA) in the pathogenicityof potato stem canker, Rhizoctonia solani, and theconcentrations required to inhibit growth of R. solaniunder laboratory and plant house-based conditions. The experiments were laid out in a completely randomizeddesign with five treatments and five replications. The treatments were 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mM concentrationsof MTPA. The purified toxin exhibited maximalactivity at pH 2.5 and 30oC. MTPA at 1, 2, 4, and 8 mMlevels reduced plant height, chlorophyll content, haulmfresh weight, number of stolons, canopy development,and tuber weight of potato plants, as compared to thecontrol. MTPA significantly affected mycelial growthwith 8 mM causing the highest infection. The potatoseedlings treated with MTPA concentrations of 1.0–8.0mM induced necrosis of up to 80% of root system area. Cankers were resulted from the injection of potatoseedling stems with 8.0 mM MTPA. The results showedthe disappearance of cell membrane, rough mitochondrialand cell walls, change of the shape of chloroplasts,and swollen endoplasmic reticulum. Seventy-six (76)hours after toxin treatment, cell contents were completelybroken, cytoplasm dissolved, and more chromatinwere seen in the nucleus. The results suggestedthat high levels of the toxin concentration caused cellmembrane and cytoplasm fracture. The integrity of cellularstructure was destroyed by the phytotoxin. Theconcentrations of the phytotoxin were significantly correlatedwith pathogenicity and caused damage to thecell membrane of potato stem base tissue.